Shoe bottom ironing machine



Oct. 6, 1936. R. w. CUMMINGS SHOE BOTTOM IRONING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l 0d. 6, 1936. R. w (:UMNHNGS 2,056,314

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1935 5 Sheets$heet 2 Oct. 6, 1936. R. w. CUMMINGS 2,056,314

SHOE BOTTOM IRONING MACHINE Filed July 14, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,056,314 SHOE BOTTOM momma MACHINE Mass, assignor to Paterson,

Application July 14, 1933, Serial No. 680,447

40 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for pressing or ironing the bottoms of shoes, and'in someaspects has particularly in view the provision of improved means for use in treating the marginal portion of shoe upper materials lying substantially in lasted relation to an insole to press the materials smoothly and firmly upon the insole preparatory to the application of an outsole to the shoe. By the means herein shown the upper materials are, for this purpose, subjected to both pressure and heat, and it is contemplated that such treatment will be especially advantageous in operating upon shoes in which the upper materials are secured in lasted relation to the insole by an adhesive, although the invention is not thus limited in its applicability. The invention is illustrated as embodied in a machine for thus operating at the forepart of the shoe from the end of the toe substantially to the ball line, but it is to be understood that in various novel aspects the invention is not limited to means for operating at that particular portion of a shoe.

For the purposes in view the invention, in one aspect, provides a novel organization comprising a heated ironing device for engaging the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and means for moving a shoe relatively to the ironing device in such manner as to cause the device to apply wiping pressure to the margin of the upper. As herein illustrated, the movement of the shoe thus effected is such as to cause the ironing device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom'while applying the pressure and heat thereto. This obviates any tendency that there might be under some conditions for the upper to bulge at the edge of .the shoe bottom under the pressure applied, and may further result in a tightening of the upper over the edge of the insole in case, for example, the adhesive has not entirely hardened at the time when the upper is subjected to the wiping pressure. For moving the shoe in the manner required the machine herein shown is provided with'a shoe support which is movable by the operator to press the shoe against the ironing device and also to swing the shoe laterally in such manner as to cause the device to wipe the margin of the upper in an inward direction at the opposite sides of the forepart of the shoe bottom successively; and to produce the inward wiping effect around the end of the toe mechanism is further provided for moving the shoe support and the shoe in a lengthwise direction in the course of the lateral movements of the shoe. The invention further provides novel pressing or ironing means conformable to the contours of the bottoms of shoes of different sizes or shapes in response to pressure of the shoes thereon. To render such means sufliciently flexible to conform readily to different shoe contours, and yet firm 5 enough to apply to each shoe the required amount of pressure, the construction herein shown comprises a plurality of thin, flexible, resilient metal plates arranged in a group in superposed relation to one another and so supported as to permit con 10 tiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conformto the contour of the shoe bottom.

It will be evident that a group of thin plates so arranged and supported will conform more readily 15 to the contour of a shoe than would a single plate of the same thickness as the group, by reason of the opportunity afforded for relative slipping movements of portions of the plates as they are flexed by pressure of the shoe upon them, while 20 at the same time the several plates are, as a group, sufiiciently resistant to bending strains to apply to the shoe the required amount of pressure. As herein illustrated, the plates are mounted on a holder which supports them loosely at 2 their marginal portions so as to permit them to be flexed and also to slip as above described; and further to assist in rendering them effective to apply to the shoe sufficient pressure for the purposes in view there are provided a plurality of springs which support the plates in locations between their opposite marginal portions and against the resistance of which the plates are flexed by the pressure of the shoe upon them.

, While the machine herein shown is, as above suggested, so constructed as to effect a wiping action on the margin of an upper, and is also so constructed that the shoe is moved relatively to the pressing or ironing means for the purposes in view, it is to be understood that in some of its novel aspects the invention is not limited to an organization of that particular character.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinationsof parts, will now be more par- 5 ticularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a machine in which the invention is embodied, illustrating 5 the positions of the parts in the ironing operation on a shoe;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine, further illustrating how the operator controls the shoe;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the machine and of the shoe, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the ironing device, illustrating by full and dotted lines how a shoe is positioned in relation to the device at the beginning of ironing operations at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through a. portion of the machine and the shoe;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line VIVI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a portion of the group of ironing plates, with certain plates broken away to illustrate more clearly therelation of the plates to one another; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the 'forepart of the shoe as it appears after treatment by use of the illustrated machine.

As above suggested, the machine herein shown is constructed for use in ironing the marginal portion of the shoe upper materials along substantially the-entire forepart of the shoe bottom. It is contemplated that such treatment will be applied with special advantages in operating upon shoes in which the upper materials at the forepart 'aresecured in lasted relation to insoles by an adhesive, and in Fig. 8 there is shown a shoe in which the upper materials are thus adhesively secured at the forepart and are further secured along the shank portion by staples s. The toe portion of such a shoe maybe lasted in any suitable manner, for example by use of a bed-lasting machine, and conveniently the sides -0f the shoe along the ball and shank portions may be lasted by use of a machine such asshown in Letters Patent No. 1,927,941, granted on September 26, 1933 upon an application of A. E. Lindblad, whereby the upper along the shank portion is'secured by staples driven into the insole and curved to anchor them in the insole, and along the 'forepart between the shank portion and the toe portion is pressed into position 'to adhere to the insole through the action :of cement without the use of staples. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to use on shoes that have been lasted in this particular manner. a

The shoe illustrated in "Fig. 8 is -one of that type in which the marginal 'portionof the upper materials is lasted over the insole in generally parallel relation to the bottom of the 'last and in which anoutsole is applied directly upon the margin-of the upper and secured by cement or other means. It is desirable that before the outsole is thus applied the margin of the upper materials shall lie smoothly uponthe insole Without the presence of objectionable wrinkles and that where'cement is utilized to-secure the upper to the insole the upper materials shall adhere closely and firmly to the insole all along the margin of the shoe bottom. For treating the marginal portion of the upper materials along the forepart in such manner as to insure these conditions, the machine herein shown includes an ironing device which is conformable to the contour of the bottom of the forepart of each shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon shoe at the top of :the iorepart.

these plates may be, for example, only about fivethousandths of an inch in thickness, and a sufficiently large number of them is provided to render the group of plates, controlled as illustrated, effective to apply to the shoe the required amount of pressure. The holder I0 is provided with a ledge l6 for supporting the group of plates in a positive manner at their marginal portions only, so that the portions of the plates between their opposite margins may be bent downwardly by pressure of a shoe thereon to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom. The plates are iloosely supported on the ledge 16, i. e., are not secured to the holder or to one another, so that as they are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom contiguous portions of the different plates may slip relatively to one another. This facilitates the bending or flexing of the plates in the manner required. To assist in rendering the plates effective to apply to the shoe the desired amount of pressure, there are mounted in the holder 10 a plurality of coiled springs 1-8 which support the plates yieldingly in locations opposite the bottom of the shoe and against the resistance of which the plates .are

-flexed by the pressure of the shoe thereon. The

plates are confined in the holder ill by a member 20 which extends around their edges and by members 22, 24, .26 and 28 which are fastened over the. member 29 and extend inwardly over the marginal portions of the plates. The .plates, as illustrated, are heated by electrical means comprising .a plurality of heat units 39 mounted in the holder i 0 substantiallytat the four corners of the holder.

To cause the ironing .device to operate on a shoe as described, the machine herein shown :is provided with a shoesupport or carrier for controlling the shoe and movingit relatively to the ironing device, comprising a spindle 32 arranged to engage the heel end of the last in its spindle hole and arubber roll :34 arranged toengage the The spindle 32 is fast in .a block36 which is mounted on apin -38 for swinging movements'about anaxis extending laterally-of the shoe, the pin 38 being mounted in aholder 40. -A spring 42 fastened to the holder 40 and bearing on the block :36 tends to swing the block and the spindle .32 in the direction to hold the forepart-of the shoe against the roll 34,'so that :the -shoe is retained on the-shoe support even when it is lifted above the ironing device beneath it. The roll J34 is .rota'tably -:m'ounted-on a pin -44 oarried by the forked lower end of 'a holder 46. :Both the holders 40 and '46 are supported-on a hand lever 48 along which they are adjustable, each independently of the other, to position them at the proper distance apart and in .proper relation to the ironing device. The hand lever 48 is supported at --.one end in a holder '50 which is l'pivotallyamounted on a pin -52 for swinging movements with the hand lever about an axis extending laterally of the 'shoe, the,pin being fast in ablock 54 which rests on the upper end of a bracket :56 fast on the support 42. A pin '58 is fast in the 'block 54 and extends downwardly through a 'vertical bearing in the'bracketfifi, the pin having :at its lower end :a head 0 which overlaps a-portion-of the bracket '56 to prevent upward vmovement of the rpm. Through the provision of the pin '58 the hand lever*48 may'accordinglybe'swung laterally to assist in positioning the shoe in proper relation to the droning device. At its forward 'enrlthe hand :lever 68 is :provided with a :cross bar 62 for use in manipulating it, as illustrated in Fig. 2. .i

It will be understood that before mounting a shoe .on the shoe support the operator lifts the .hand lever 48 far enough to afford sufficient room between the support and the ironing device. The heel end of the last is then mounted on the spindle 32 and by the action of the last thereon the spindle is then tipped against the resistance of the spring 42 far enough to permit the forepart of the shoe and last to be swung into position beneath the roll 34. By downward movement of the lever 38 the operator then presses the forepart of the shoe bottom against the heated flexible plates M which conform to the contour of the shoe bottom in the manner previously described. Preferably, moreover, in order to avoid any tendency for the margin of the upper to bulge at the edge of the shoe bottom under the pressure of the ironing device thereon, the shoe is further moved by the operator in such manner as to cause the ironing device to wipe the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom. For this purpose the lever 48 is so mounted that it may be turned about an axis extending lengthwise thereof to swing the shoe support and the shoe laterally, the lever having a stem 6 (Fig. 1) rotatable in a socket in the holder fill. Accordingly, as the operator forces the shoe against the ironing device by downward movement of the lever 48 he turns the lever to swing the shoe laterally and thereby to cause the ironing device to wipe the margin of the upper in an inward direction, first at one side of the forepart of the shoe bottom and thereafter at the other side of the forepart. It will be understood that at the beginning of the ironing operation at each side of the forepart the shoe is tipped somewhat'laterally and is positioned nearer one side of: the ironing device than the other side, as indicated in Fig. 4, and that the shoe is carried to a position substantially midway between the opposite sides of the ironing device and tipped into a substantially upright position (Fig. 6) in the ironing operation. In order to produce an inward wiping action on the marginal portion of the upper around the end of the toe there is further provided means for moving the shoe'support and the shoe in a lengthwise direction in the course of their lateral swinging movement. This means comprises a cam 66 (Fig.1) formed on a depending lug 68 on the holder 55 and engaging a roll H! which is mounted on a pin 12 extending downwardly from the stem (i l of the lever 48 through a slot in the holder 50. The action of the cam 66 accordingly is to move the lever 48 lengthwise in a direction away from the operator as the lever is turned by the operator, thus carrying the shoe lengthwise along the surface of the ironing device simultaneously with its lateral movement along the surface. It will be understood that in order to render the cam 66 effective as described the operator pulls the lever 58 toward him at the beginning of the ironing operation at either side of the shoe bottom, the cam thereafter acting to move the lever in the opposite direction in response to the turning of the lever.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole,

portions of said device being arranged to act respectively on the margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom and being fixed against relative movement laterally of the shoe, and means for moving the shoe relatively to said ironing device to cause said device to apply wiping pressure to the margin of the upper on the inside.

2. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heateu ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and means for moving a shoe relatively to said ironing device along the upper-engaging face of said device to cause the'device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom.

3. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and a shoe sup-port movable to press a shoe against the upper-engaging face of said device and also movable to carry the shoe while in contact with said face in a direction to cause the device to wipe the margin of the upper inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom.

4. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and a shoe support movable to carry a shoe heightwise into engagement with said device, said shoe support and device being relatively movable in a direction substantially parallel to the upperengaging face of said device to cause the device to wipe the margin of the upper on the insole.

5. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, shoe-positioning means, and mechanism for effeoting relative movement of said ironing device and'shoe-positioning means to cause said device to apply wiping pressure to the margin of the upper first at one side of the shoe bottom and then at the other side of the shoe bottom.

6. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and means for moving a shoe relatively to said ironing device to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom first at one side of the forepart of the shoe and then at the other side of the forepart.

7. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and a 'shoe support movable in a direction heightwise of a shoe thereon to press the shoe against said ironing device and further movable to carry the shoe laterally and thus to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom at the opposite sides of the shoe bottom successively.

8. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and a shoe support movable to swing a shoe relatively to said ironing device about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom first at one side of the forepart and then at the other side of the forepart.

9. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and

a shoe support movable about an axis extending widthwise of the shoe to .press the bottom of the shoe against said ironingdevice and further movable about an axis extending lengthwise of the shoe to cause the device to wipe .the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom at the :opposite sides of the shoe bottom successively.

10. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an :upper overlying an insole, a shoe support, a lever carrying said shoe support and mounted for swinging movement to press .the bottom of a shoe against said ironing device and also mounted for turning movement about an axis extendinglengthwise of the lever to impart to the shoe lateral swinging movement with the :margin of the upper in contact with said ironing device.

11. .In a shoe bottom ironing machine, :a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and means for moving a'shoe both lengthwiseand laterally relatively to said ironing device to cause said device to apply to the margin of the upper around the toe end of the shoe bottom wiping pressure directed inwardly from the edge of the insole.

12. Ina shoe-bottom ironing machine, an iron- Ting device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, means for moving a shoe laterally relatively to said ironing device tocause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in-directions inwardly from the-edge of the shoe bottom at the opposite .sides of the forepart of the shoe bottom successively, and mechanism arranged to act in such lateral movement'of the shoe to impart to the shoe also lengthwise movement in a direction to cause said device towipe the upper inwardly at the end of the toe.

13. In a shoe'bottom ironing machine, .an ironing device constructed "and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, a shoe carrier movable to carry a shoe laterally along the upper-engaging face of said ironing device to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the insole at the opposite sides-of the forepart of the shoe bottom successively, and mechanism arranged to act in response tosuch movement of the-carrier to impart to it also movement in a direction lengthwise of the shoe to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper inwardly :at the end of the toe.

14. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an .insole, ra shoe support, a lever carrying said shoe .support and movable to press-the bottom of the forepart 'of a shoe against said ironingdevice, said lever being also mounted ior'turning movement about an axis extending lengthwise of the lever to-swing the shoe laterally .relatively'to said iron- "ing device and thus to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom at the opposite asides of the forepart successively, and a cam arranged to act in response'to'the turning of said "lever to move'the shoe support and the'shoe in a direction lengthwise vof .the .shoe .to cause said device to wipe the margin of theupper inwardly at the end of the toe.

15. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed .and arranged1 to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, means for moving a shoe laterally relatively :to .said ironing device to cause said device .to wipe the margin .of the upper ina direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom along a side of :the shoe :bottom, and mechanism for effecting relative movement :of said device and the shoe in a direction lengthwise of theshoe as the shoe is thus moved laterally.

:16. Ina shoebottom ironing machine, aheated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin-of .an upper overlying an insole, a shoe carrier movable to carry a shoe laterally along the upper-engaging face of said ironing device to cause said device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom along a side :of the shoe .bottom, and mechanism arranged to act in response to such movement of the carrierto effect relative movement of said device and the shoe ina direction lengthwise of the shoe.

17.. In ashoe bottom ironing machine, a'heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, a support for said ironing device, and means for efiecting relative movement of said support and a shoe -to cause the ironing device to wipe the margin .of the upper in a direction inwardly .from the edge of the shoe bottom, said device being conformable to thecontour of the shoe bottom in response to pressure of the shoe upon it.

18. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole, and means :for pressing a shoe against said ironing device and for also moving the shoe along the upper-engaging face of said device to cause the device to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom,:said device being conformable to the'contour of the shoe bottom in response to pressure of the shoe upon it.

19. Ina shoe-bottom ironingmachine, a'heated ironing device constructed and arranged to engage the marginxof an upper overlying an insole, said device being yieldingly conformable to the contour lot :the bottom of a shoe in response to pressure of .theshoe upon it, and means for-.efiect- .ing relative movements of said device and the shoe in directionsboth lengthwise and laterally of theshoe toicause the device to wipe the margin of the upper in directions inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom around an end :portion of the shoe bottom.

20. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated .presserarranged to engage the margin of an upper overlying an insole and comprising a plurality of flexible metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another and conformable'to the contour of the bottom of a .;shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them,.said plates being so supported as to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip "relatively 'to one-another as the plates are flexed to conform to the :contour of the shoe bottom, .and means for effecting relative-movementof said presser and the shoe to press the margin of the upper.

21. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, a heated presser arranged to engage the margin of an .upperoverlying an insole andcomprising a plurality of flexible metal platesarranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another and conformable to the contour of the bottom of a shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, said plates being so supported as to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom, and means for effecting relative movement of said presser and a shoe to cause the presser to wipe the margin of the upper in a direction inwardly from the edge of the shoe bottom.

.22. A device for pressing or ironing the margin of an upper on the bottom of a shoe, said device ,comprising a heated presser of flexible sheet metal for engaging the margin of the upper, said sheet metal presser being positively supported at its opposite marginal portions only to permit its intermediate portion to be flexed and thereby to .conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

23. A device for pressing or ironing the margin of an upper on the bottom of a shoe, said device comprising a heated presser of flexible resilient metal for engaging the margin of the upper, and means for loosely supporting said presser at its margin while permitting other portions thereof to be flexed and thereby to conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

24. A device for pressing or ironing the margin of an upper on the bottom of a shoe, said device comprising. a presser of, flexible resilient sheet metal for engaging the margin of the upper, a holder having a ledgev arranged to support positively the opposite marginal portions of said sheet metal presser on the opposite side thereof from the shoe while permitting its intermediate portion to be flexed and thereby to conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, and means for heating said presser.

' 25. A device for pressing or ironing the margin of an upper on the bottom of a shoe; said device comprising a presser of flexible resilient metal for engaging the margin of the upper, a holder constructed to support loosely the opposite marginal portions of said presser While permitting other portions thereof to be flexed and thereby to conform to the contour of the. bottom of the shoe in. response to pressure of the shoe thereon, and electrical heating means in said holder for heating the presser.

26. A device for pressing or ironing the margin of an upper on the bottom of ,a. shoe, said device comprising a presser of flexible resilient metal for engaging the margin of the upper, means for supporting said presser at its margin while permitting other portions thereof to yield and thereby to conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, spring means against the resistance of which said other portions are thus yieldable, and means for heating said presser.

27. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising a presser of flexible resilient metal for engaging the bottom of a shoe, and a holder constructed to support loosely the opposite marginal portions of said presser while permitting other portions thereof to be flexed and thereby to conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

28. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, said device comprising a presser of flexible resilient metal for engaging the bottom of a shoe, a holder constructed to support loosely the opposite marginal portions of said presser while permitting other portions thereof to yield and thereby to conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response topressure of the shoe thereon, and spring means against the resistance of which said other portions of the presser are thus yieldable.

29. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said'plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and being so supported as to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom.

30. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, and means loosely supporting said plates at their margins while permitting contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom.

31. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, and. a holder on which said plates are supported at their margins in unsecured relation to the holder and to one another to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom.

32.'A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible resilient metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and being so supported as to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom, and means for heating said plates.

33. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible resilient metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them and being so supported as to permit contiguous portions of the different plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom, and spring means against the resistance of which portions of said plates that are opposite the bottom of the shoe are yieldable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

34. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes, comprising a plurality of flexible resilient metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them in position to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them,

a holder on which said plates are supported at their opposite marginal portions inunsecured relation to the holder and to one another to permit contiguous portions of the difierent plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform tothe contour of the shoe-bottom,.and

spring means against the resistance of which portions of the plates that" are opposite the bot' tom of the shoe are yieldable in response to pressure of the shoe thereon.

35. A device for pressing the bottoms of shoes,- comprising a plurality of flexible resilient metal plates arranged in superposed contiguous relation to one another with one of them inposition to engage the bottom of a shoe, said plates being conformable to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe upon them, a holder on which said plates are supported at their opposite marginal portions in unsecured relation to the holder and to one another to permit contiguous portions of the d-ifierent plates to slip relatively to one another as the plates are flexed to conform to the contour of the shoe bottom, and electrical heating means in said holder for heating the plates.

36. Inapparatus for pressing the bottoms of the foreparts of shoes after lasting but before outsoles are applied to the shoes, a presser comprising a flexible metal plate arranged tocontact with the margin of the upper of the lasted forepart of a shoe presented bottom downward, means for positively supporting said plate under its margin in locations opposite the toe end and the sides of the forepart of the shoe while permitting its intermediate portion to yieldand conform to the contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, a device movable downwardly above said plate topress the forepart of the shoe uponit, and means for heating the plate.

37. In apparatus for pressing the bottoms of the foreparts of shoes after lasting but before outsoles are applied to the shoes; a presser" comprising a flexible metal plate arranged tocontact with the margin of the upper of the lasted forepart of a shoe, means for supporting said plate at its opposite side margins while permitting itsintermediate portion to yield and conformv to the contour of the bottom of theshoe in responseto pressure: of the shoe thereon, means arranged to. acton the intermediate portion of the plate to increase its pressure on the margin of the upper, means for effecting relative movement of the shoe and said plate to press the: shoe", and means for heating the plate.

38'. In apparatus for pressing the bottoms of the foreparts of shoes after lasting but before: outsoles are applied to the shoes, at presser comprising a flexiblemetalplate arranged to contact. with the margin of the upper of the lasted fore:- part or a; shoe, means for supporting said plate at its opposite side margins while permitting its intermediate portion to yield and conform tothe contour of the bottom of the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, means for effecting relative movement of. the shoe and said.

plate heightwise of the shoe to" press the" plate on the shoe, additional means for efiecting relative movement of the shoe and the: plate direction: lengthwise of the shoe to cause the plate" to wipe the margin of the toe end of the upper inwardly, and means for heating the platei 39. In apparatus for pressing. the bottoms of the foreparts 'of shoes after lasting: but before outsoles are applied tO-thB'ShOGS, a: presses comprising a' flexible metal plate arranged to contact with the margin of the upper ofthef lasted; torepart of a shoe presented: bottom downward, said plate being yieldingly coniormable' to the contempt the bottom of the forep'art or" the shoe in response to pressure of the shoe thereon, means for" forcing the shoe downward" to press upon said plate, additional means ror moving the shoe lengthwise to cause the plate to wipe the margin of the toe end of the upper in an. inward. direction, and means for heating the plate.

40. In a shoe bottom ironing machine, an ironing device comprising a heated ironing plate of flexible metal constructed and arranged to contactwiththe margin of the toe end of an upper overlying an insole and to extend across the insole from one side thereof to the other side, and means for moving a shoe lengthwise relatively to saidf'ironing plate along the upper-engaging face of said plate to cause the plate to wipe the margin of the upper in a lslirectiort'inwardly from the edge of the insole.

ROY W. CUMMINGS.

CERT'ITFIUCATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent, No 2,056,551, 48 October 6, 1956.

ROY w. commas.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent, requiring correction as follows: Page 3, second column, line 8, claim 1, for the word "inside" read insole; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of ,the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed @1113 12th day of January A. D l95'?.

Henry Van Aredale (Seal) r Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

